Geared wrench



April 14, 1953 w. H. JOHNSON 2,634,630

GEARED WRENCH Filed April 4, 1949 Patented Apr. 14, i953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEARED WRENCH William H. Johnson, Quincy, Ill.

Application April 4, 1949, Serial No. 85,425

s Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to hand tools, and more particularly to a ratchet type wrench, the rotational output of which is greater than the input.

'It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel geared wrench which has a rotational output which is a multiple of the rotational input.

'Another object is to provide a novel geared wrench which is selectively operative to effect a rotational output which is greater than the rotational input, or which is the same as the rotational input.A

Another object is to provide a novel geared wrench which includes a ratchet construction for optionally permitting driving motion in one direction only, allowing free return of the actuating handle.

Another object is to provide a novel geared wrench of the ratchet type which is selectively operative to either tighten or loosen bolts and the like.

Another object is to provide ya novel geared wrench which can be used with the regular socket attachments.

Other objects are to provide a novel geared wrench which is of rugged construction, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which can be' used after a minimum amount of instruction.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a geared wrench embodying the teachings of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the wrench with a portion of the handle cut away and showing the slot-engaging end of the auxiliary handle in cross section;

vFig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the head of the wrench with the lever in the central or locked position, the planetary gearing being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4, but showing the lever moved to the clockwise position;

Fig. 6 isa vertical diametrical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the neck portion of the wrench showing the lever in the counterclockwise position, the dogs and a 2 portion of the planetary gearing being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged top plan View of a star gear;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the sun gear, showing the socket-engaging portion in dotted lines;

Fig. 10 is `an enlarged side elevational vie of the lever member;

Fig. 11 is a reduced top plan view of the auxiliary handle; and

Fig. 12 is a reduced side elevational view of the wrench assembly.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, I3 indicates generally a wrench l.assembly comprising a wrench I4 and an auxiliary handle I5, the former including a handle member I6 having a planetary gear mechanism I1 mounted in one end thereof.

The handle member I6 includes a rod-like end portion I8 of a size to be grasped in an operators hand, a neck portion 20 which contains upper and lower elongated recesses 22 and 24, respectively, and a head portion '26. The head portion 26 has a circular opening 28 and arecessed chamber 29 adjacent thereto which extends into the neck portion 20 as shown in Fig. 5. The upper recess 22 contains three equi-spaced hemispherical cavities 30 in arcuate alignment.

The planetary gear mechanism I1 is disposed in the opening 28 and includes a ring gear 3l, a pair of star gears 32 each including upper and lower trunnions 33, and a sun gear 34, the lastnamed having an annular flange 36 and a square--V shaped socket member 38 formed integral with the lower end of its shaft, and a dome-shaped boss 39 formed integral with the upper end. The inner surface of the ring gear 3l contains the usual gear teeth 40 and the outer surface contains ratchet teeth 42 (Fig. 5).

The diameter of each of the gears 32 and 34 is one-third of the inner diameter of the ring gear 3|, so that the latter has three times as many teeth as are contained in each of the smaller gears.

A top cap 50 covers the upper end of the opening 28 and a bottom cap 52 covers the lower end thereof, the two caps being held together by screws 54, as shown in Fig. 6. Sleeves 56 are disposed around the screws 54 and between the two caps so as to keep them in spaced relationship, there being a slight clearance between the two caps and the head portion 26 of the handle I4 so as to permit relative rotation between-thetwo structures. Y

In the lower surface ofthe top cap 50 (Fig.Vr

4) there is formed a dome-like cavity 58 which receives the boss 38 of the sun gear 34, and two cylindrical-shaped recesses 60 which receive the upper trunnions 33 of the star gears 32. An undercut slot Ell is contained in the upper surface of the top cap 5t! for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

A circular opening 65 is contained in the bottom cap 52 toaccommodate the shaft of the sun gear 34. In the upper surface of the cap 52 there are two cylindrical-shaped recesses 58 which receive the lower trunnions 33 of the star gears 32.

A cover plate I2 is secured to the lower surface of the bottom cap 52 by means of cap screws 74. It contains a circular opening 'i6 which has a steplike groove 'I'I formed therein, as shown in Figs.-

4 and 6, the horizontal surface of' which supports the ange 36 so as to prevent the sun gear Sdfrom dropping out of the gear mechanism I6.

-Bellrcrank type ratchet dogsi andr 85 (Fig. 5) are pivotally mounted in spaced opposed relationshpwithin the chamber 2S by means of screws 82. A coil spring 84! is disposed between one pair of ends of. the dogs, the other ends being free to engagek the ratchet teeth 52 on the ringgear 3l.

A lever 86, shown in Fig. 10, is pivotally mounted withinthe upper recess 26 in the handle I2 by means of a rivet 88 (Figs. 3and 4). One end of the Ylever 88 is bifurcated and has downwardly extending projections 98 and 92. The other end has a small spherical-shaped detent element M mounted on the bottom surface for holding engagement with the cavities 36. A ilat elongated projection 98 is formed integral with the upper surface of the lever 85 and extends above the sidesfof the recess 22, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

The auxiliary handle I5 includes an elongated hand portion 98 and a nose portion I 6o formed to removably engage the slot 64 in the top cap 50 (Fig. 11)

Operation The wrench assembly I3 can be used as a multiple rotational advantage ratchet type of wrench for` both loosening and tightening operations, as a-,one-to-one ratchettype wrench for similar operations, or as a one-to-one wrench without the ratchetiaction.

Toy use the assembly as a multiple rotational advantageratchet type wrench for a tightening operation, the lever 88 is moved in a clockwise .direction until the detent element 94 engages the outermost cavity 30. This causes the dog BIJ to pivotaway froni the ring gear SI and the end of the-dog 'I8 to pivot into engagement withV the ratchet teeth 42 (Fig. 5). The bolt-engaging member (not shown) onrthe end of the socket member Silis then positioned on the head of the bolt to be tightened, and the wrench handle I5 vgrasped in the operators hand. The nose portion IBD ofthe auxiliary handle I5 is then inserted in the slot 64 and the handle portion 98 grasped in the operators other hand. The auxiliary handle I5 is then reciprocated while the handle I5 is held stationary. When the auxiliary handle I5 is moved toward the handle I8, the top and bottom caps 50V and 52 rotate in a clockwise direction, thereby Icausing, the axes of the star gears 32 to move in the same direction. Because the ring gear 3| is prevented from rotating in a clockwise direction by the dog '18, the star gears 32 will roll on the inner-periphery of the ring gear 3I, the

teeth ofthe star gears engaging the gear teeth 40 This causes the starA gears of the ring gear 3|. 3.2, to rotate a counterclockwS,e` direction,

thereby rotating the sun gear and socket member 38 in a clockwise direction. Because the sun and star gears each contain only a fraction each as many gear teeth as does the ring gear 3I, the former will rotate a predetermined number of times for each complete revolution of the auxiliary handle I5, thereby causing the socket member 38 to rotate a predetermined number of times as fast as the auxiliary handle'l when it is rotated in a clockwise direction.

It will be noted that, by merely changing the relative size of the gears, one can design a wrench assembly which has a two-to-one ratio, four-toone ratio, or any desired ratio. And, although the instant device is shown and described with two star gears, it is apparent that a satisfactory wrench can also be made using a single star gear, the extra star gear having been added primarily to increase the strength of the device and to give aY balanced construction.

When the auxiliary handle4 I.5,is-.mo,ved inra: counterclockwise direction, the, topandA bottom...

caps 5I) and 52, and the axes of thestar gearsz` i rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Assuming that the frictional engagementfof the bolt.vv

being tightened is great enough, the socket mem.-N

ber 38 and the sun gear 38 will not rotate when, the axes of the star gears are rotated-in a eounterclockwise direction. Therefore, the star gearsl.. will roll on the'sun gear 34 androtater-in acouns..

terclockwise direction. This causes the ringgear.

3i to be rotated in a counterclockwisedirection,4

the end of the dog I8 riding/over the'ratchetteeth 42.

with his other hand, and thereby achieve thesame results. v

To use the wrenchrassemblyI I3 as a ratchet type multiple rotational advantage wrench for loosenf ing bolts andthe like, the lever 86 is, movedzinrthe counterclockwise direction into the position shown,` in Fig. 7. This causes the dog 18 to be pivoted; away from the ring gear Y3| and theendvof; the

dog Sil to bepivoted into engagement with the;

ratchet teethv 42. Thereafter,v av counterclockf. wise movement of theA auxiliary handle I5-willY cause the socket member to rotate'in agcounter.-v

clockwise direction at al predetermined numbenof times the speed Aof the auxiliary handle ina-maneV ner similar to that described above. wise rotation of the auxiliary handle I5 willcause the ring gear SI to rotate inthe clockwise direc-- tion with the dog 8G' riding over the ratchet teeth To use the assembly I3 asaone-to-one wrench with a ratchetaction, thev end of the leverx86 is moved to either sideasdescribed supra,- and;I

the wrench handle I6.. andthe auxiliary. handle I5 rotated together in the` samef direction. Assuming that the lever 8,6 is inthe. position-shown. iniFig. 5, and thatrthe.wrench. handle I Sgand the auxiliary handle Iare broughttogetll'er and? grasped by the operatorin one hand, a clockwisa;

rotation or the handles will causethez'star gears 32 to attempt to rollcaround .the sun gear-34.1and;;

to rotate in a clockwiseA direction.- Thiswould alsok tend to cause theringgear 3l ftdrotate in? a .clockwise direction, but, because itisprevented;

The endofrthe dog'IB is held' inengagellent,.Y with the ratchet teeth li2gby theactionof: theyl spring 84so that, when theauxiliary handleV4 I5;

5. from doing so by the end of the dog H8 being in engagement with the ratchet teeth 42, the ring gear 3l and the star gears 32 will rotate together. Because-there is no relative rotation between the sun gear 34, star gears 32, and the ring gear 3l, the sun gear (it and the socket member 38 on its shaft will rotate in the same direction and at the same speed as the handles. Assuming, as above, that the fricti-onal engagement of the bolt is great enough, counterclockwise rotation of the handles will cause the star gears 32 to roll around the stationary sun gear 34 in a counterclockwise direction. This causes the star gears 32 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and to rotate the ring gear 3l in the same direction with the end of the dog 18 riding over the ratchet teeth 42. The spring 84 holds the end of the dog 'I8 against the ratchet teeth 42, however, so that, when the handles are again moved in the clockwise direction, the gears will rotate together and the cycle Will be repeated.

To use the assembly in the same manner for loosening a bolt or the like, the lever 85 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 7 and the rotation of the gears are exactly opposite to that described above.

If it is desirable to use the assembly as a oneto-one wrench without the ratchet action, the lever 8G is placed in the central position, as shown in Fig. 3, and the wrench handle i6 and the auxiliary handle I rotated together. Because both of the dogs 'i8 and Bil engage the ratchet teeth 42, the ring gear 3l cannot rotate within the head portion 26 of the handle member l 5, thereby preventing a ratchet action in either direction.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided a construction which fulfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given only by way of illustration and example, vand that changes and alterations of the present disclosure, which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of an elongated handle member containing an opening adjacent one end thereof, a ring gear With gear teeth on the inner periphery and ratchet teeth on the outer periphery rotatably mounted within said opening, a sun gear and a star gear rotatably mounted within the ring gear, the star gear being in engagement with both the sun gear and the ring gear, a pair of ratchet dogs having ratchet teeth engaging ends and operating ends pivotally mounted intermediate said ends on the handle member adjacent the ring gear for engagement therewith, and operating means for selectively engaging both or either of the dogs with the ratchet teeth on the ring gear whereby the latter is prevented from rotating or from rotating in one direction.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an elongated handle member containing an opening adjacent one end thereof, a ring gear with gear teeth on the inner periphery and v 6T member for selectively engaging both or either of the dogs with the ratchet teeth on the ring gear whereby the latter is prevented from rotating or from rotating in one direction.

3. In a device of the class described, the combi-1 nation of a handle member having an opening formed therein, a ring gear with gear teeth on the inner periphery thereof rotatably mounted within said opening, a sun gear and a star gear rotatably mounted within thering gear, the star gear being in engagement with both the sun gear and the ring gearV and rotatable completely about the sun gear, a connecting member containing openings rotatably receiving the ends of the sun and star gears and rotatable 360 degrees relative to the handle member, an auxiliary handle removably attached to the connecting member, and means for selectively preventing rotation of the ring gear in one direction relative to the handle member.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a handle member having an opening formed therein, a ring gear with gear teeth on the inner periphery thereof rotatably mounted within said opening, a sun gear and a star gear rotatably mounted Within the ring gear, the star gear being in engagement with both the sun gear and the ring gear and rotatable about the sun gear, a pair of cap-like members rotatably mounted on each side of the ring gear, means fastening the cap-like members together, said cap-like members containing openings rotatably receiving the ends of the sun and star gears, means on one cap-like member for removably fastening an auxiliary handle thereto, said cap-like member being spaced from the handle member and the fastening means being adjacent the outer surface thereof so that the auxiliary handle passes over the handle member for 360 degrees rotation relative thereto, and means for selectively preventing rotation of the ring gear in one direction relative to the handle member.

5. A geared wrench, comprising a handle member having an opening formed therein adjacent one end; a ring gear with gear teeth on the inner periphery thereof rotatably mounted within the opening; a sun gear and at least one star gear rotatably mounted Within the ring gear, the star gear being in engagement with both the sun gear and the ring gear and rotatable about the sun gear; means for rotating the star gear in either direction about the sun gear; and manually engageable means including ratchet dogs pivoted intermediate their ends for engaging said ring gear and mounted on the handle member for selectively preventing the ring gear from rotating relative to the handle member or from rotating in either one direction or the other relative thereto.

6. In a device of the type described, an clongated handle member having an enlarged portion adjacent one end Which contains a circular opening; a ring gear with gear teeth on the inner periphery and ratchet teeth on the outer periphery thereof rotatably mounted Within the opening; a sun gear and at least one star gear rotatably mounted Within the ring gear in operative engagement therewith, the lower end of the shaft of the sun gear extending beyond the confines of the handle member; upper and lower cap members closing each side of the opening, said cap members being rotatably mounted relative to the handle member and the ring gear, said cap members containing recesses rotatably receiving the ends of the sun and star Niunber -gearsff/.and @anpening through `-,which ,the-,lower end f ofztheshaft of theffsunsgear extends; means fastening :the :cap:members together; Ya pair ,of ratchet dogs pivotally :mounted :on .the handle memberta'djacentthe ring gear; a lever member for -selectively:engagingboth or either -of .the dogs wvithrthematchet ;teeth on the ring :gear

for .preventingathe latter .from .rotating :relative toithemandle .member orfrom rotating in one direction. relative' thereto and. anzauxiliary hand1e'-fori.rotating. .the .cap l members Vand the. star gear relative tof the'handley member.

WILLIAM H. JOHNSON.

References-z Cited :the le of f this patent "UNITED STATES' PATENTS' .I Name YDate ,661229 Fanning July 2, A186'? Number 8 Name y,Date .Jones Sept ,25, `1.833- Nolan V .,Cct. 17,1893 ANelson Oct. il), 189,4 Nolan June 30, -192-5 :Naylor Jan. 4, 1927 O.Co1mor Jan. 15, 1929 .Rylander 1 Apr. 7, 1931 Matveyeff Feb. 19, 1935 rSage 'May 16,1950 Schnepel et a1 June 6, 1950 Seaquist Aug. 29, .1950 

